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“I think the role of a General Counsel Today is not just Limited to just the Four (4) Corners of Law” – Akshat Sulalit, General Counsel, Ibibo Group (MIH India)

“I think the role of a General Counsel Today is not just Limited to just the Four (4) Corners of Law” –  Akshat Sulalit, General Counsel, Ibibo Group (MIH India)
THE PROFESSIONAL TRIUMPH
Briefly, tell us about your role in the organization and the mandates you handle?

My role is to ensure that all loops are plugged from a legal perspective be it transaction, commercial documentation or litigation. This is towards all group companies and/or business units which for ibibo Group includes goibibo.com, redbus.in, ibiboRyde, travelboutiqueonline.com and all the other investments of the Group across geographies.

Tell us something about your journey so far as a General Counsel in India?

Given, I was into private practice prior to joining ibibo, to head the legal team, it has been an absolutely refreshing and stimulating journey so far. To draw a comparison, the challenges, as I have come to understand, on the other side of the table, as they say, are completely tangential as the answerability and obligations of the role being an insider is not only to advise on risks, exposure and mitigants but to also assist the business in taking informed risks and business decisions.

Do you feel that the role of General Counsels is evolving in today’s business scenario? And if so, how?

I think the role of a General Counsel today is not just limited to just the four (4) corners of law but to also actively engage in major business decision, policies, employee engagement and other future business expansion, development and IP protection thereof in prospective markets.

What are the key challenges that General Counsels have to deal with on a regular basis, irrespective of the industry sector?

If you ask me, firstly, the biggest challenge for anyone in a leadership capacity, is to retain talent and more so in the IT industry. Secondly, to convince the business and/or the decision makers to arrive at a consensus on decisions which are legally tenable, safeguarding the interests and productive for the business. Last but not the least, is coping with the rise of the Indian consumer- which though in a way is a good thing- having a more informed and educated consumer but at the same time it comes with a few irritants where corporations are being arm twisted by consumers, especially with the advent of consumer courts.

What are your thoughts on improving synergies between law firms and corporate in-house legal teams?

Frankly, I don’t see any lack of synergy between the two as long as both are diligently doing their respective fulfillments.

Any advice for someone exploring a legal career as an in-house counsel?

I think working in house has a lot to offer, the kind of learning about the industry and business that happens as an insider can never be attained as an advisor. However, my strong belief is that someone at the foundation of his/her career should first learn the nuances of law by working as consultants where one is essentially exposed to a lot of research.

The Casual You

As many would agree that the problem with lawyers is once a lawyer, you can’t cease being one i.e., something like in your head you are constantly auto-correcting language of people your talking with. Additionally I think one also becomes more consequential and begins to analyse the consequences more before acting.

But the casual me is- still playing cricket (also in my sleep), still wanting to read so many books, watch movies and striving to spend more time with my wife and daughter.

THE CASUAL YOU

Favourite Gadget – Is always the phone I carry, it becomes an extension of me.
Favourite App – Is Maps (GPS), so helpful, everywhere, anywhere.
Favourite Automobile Brand – Jaguar, though yet to own one.
Favourite Writing Instrument – Nothing beats the old fashioned desktop keyboard.
Favourite Holiday Destination – Sri Lanka
Favourite Cuisine – Love all cuisines which offer great meat.

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